Automatic circuit-closer



B. GOLBIN.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT CLOSER.

APPLICATTON FILED APR.2.1917.

l 35 l 207. T Patented Aug. 31, 1920.

BENJAMIN GOLBIN, 0F CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

AUTOMATIC CIRCUIT-CLOSER,

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented'Aug. 31, 1920.

Application led April 2, 1917. Serial No. 159,293.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN GOLBIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Circuit-Closers, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to automatic means for establishing electrical connections in the event that heat, by reason of fire or other-y wise, is brought in contact with my device.

A further object is the production'of a device which will be operated at any desired degree of temperature other than normal and will positively effect an electric connection.

A further object is the production of a device of comparatively simple construction and one not liable to get out or order.

These and such other objects as may hereinafter appear are attained by my device an embodiment of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 represents a sectional view of my device.

Fig. 2 represents a top plan view of my device with the upper portion removed.

F ig. 3 represents a sectional view on the line 3-3 of' Fig. 1 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows.

Referring now to the drawings, 1 represents a supporting member preferably of wire or a rod curved at the top as shown at 2 so it may be suspended as over a pipe. Secured to the central portion of the support is a ball receptacle 3 having an opening 4 closed with some easily fusible material 5, and having resting thereon a ball 6 of sufficient size to pass through the opening when the fusible material is out of the way. Suspended below this receptacle is a second receptacle or race-way 7 supported at 8 8a and having upwardly disposed ears or supporting members 9 carrying a swinging ball carrier 10. This member 10 is pivotally mounted at 11 and has an upper recep-y tacle 12 directly below the opening 4. This member 10 has a lower receptacle 13 adapted to carry a plurality of small balls or shot 14. The member 7 is provided with an opening 15 at the bottom with a funnel-shaped extension 16 in the bottom of which are mounted contacts 1717a of an electric wire 18-181. These contacts are carried by a box like member 19 having openings 20 through which the wires pass and provided with supporting ears .2l-21a that are secured to the lower portion of the member 7 in any desired manner as by means of screws 22.

In the operation of my device if it is desired to make an electrical connection at a comparatively low temperature, say something above the melting point of paraffin, for instance, the bottoni of the member 3 is filled with paraffin or like material with the ball 6 placed on top. As soon as the paraffin melts the ball 6 drops into the pocket 12 and its weight being considerably in excess of the combined weight of the balls 14 the member 10 is swung on the pivot 11, caus ing the receptacle 13 to swing upwardly and the balls 14 to drop down into the receptacle 7 where they at once seek their lowest level and fall through the opening 15 into the well 23 and onto and against the contact springs or members 17-17, and as the balls themselves are of steel or some conductible metal a connection is formed and the current passes through from 18 to 18a and operates an alarm not shown or performs any other function desired.

It is evident that it may be so fitted as to operate water releasing mechanism as well as any form of alarm.

Insulating material 24 is preferably provided within the interior of the well surrounding the contact 23 so there can be no chance of any short circuiting or failure in the establishment of the electrical connection.

It is also clear that any fusible material may be used of a high or low degree and the device arranged to operate at any required degree ofh temperature.

lhile I have shown one means for carrying out the objects of my invention, it is evident that other parts may be used which will not vary greatly from those shown and will fall well within the spirit of my invention.

I claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a carrier provided with an opening, fusible means covering said opening, a metal counterweight mounted on said material, an interrupted electric circuit, the contact points of which are positioned below said carrier,

4and means whereby when said fusible material is fused, the metal counterweight will establish an electric circuit through said contact points, said means comprising a plurality of metal balls suspended in the path of said counterweight and adapted to be dropped into engagement with said contact points.

2. In a device of the class described, a carrier provided with an opening, fusible means covering said opening, a metal counterweight mounted on said material, an interrupted electric circuit, the contact points of which are positioned below said carrier, a raceway suspended beneath said carrier, a ball carrier swingingly mounted on said raceway, balls within said ball carrier, and means whereby when said counterweight drops into said ball carrier, said balls are discharged on to said contact points, thereby closing said interrupted circuit.

3. In a device of the class described, a carrier provided with an opening, fusible material covering said opening, a metal counterweight mounted on said material, a raceway mounted below said carrier, having an opening in its lowermost portion, a well extended below said opening, an interrupted circuit, the contact points of which are positioned within said well, a plurality of metal balls supported within said raceway and adapted to be dropped into said well by the downward movement of said counterweight when said fusible material is fused.

Il. In a device of the class described, a carrier provided with an opening, fusible means covering said opening, a metal counterweight mounted on said material, an interrupted electric circuit, the contact points of which are positioned below said carrier, a raceway suspended beneath said carrier, a ball carrier, comprising two receptacles, swingingly mounted on said raceway, balls positioned in the lowermost of said receptacles, the second receptacle being so positioned with respect to the Apivotal line of attachment of said ball carrier that when the fusible material is fused and the counterweight drops into said upper receptacle the said ball carrier is swung about on its pivot as a whole and the balls dropped into said well'and on to said contacts, closing said interrupted circuit.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name.

BENJAMIN GOLBIN. 

